Improvement in barrels



Uivrrnn Sra'rns TO HARRIETT M. GAGE, OF ROCHESTER, NEV YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN BARRELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 119,546, dated October 3, 1871.

To all whom @t may concern.:

Be it known that I, JAMEs TornirNsoN, of Goderich, in the county of Huron and Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in the Manufacture of Barrels, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists in securing together the hoops of an ordinary barrel by means of a combined fastening device by a certain combination of devices, as will hereinafter more fully be set forth.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of a barrel with my improvement; Fig. 2,a section of one of the chines and the hoop that protects it; Fig. 3, a plan of the hoop and the tightening strip or packing; Fig. 4, an elevation of one of the clasps.

A represents the barrel, which is made of staves in the usual way. B B are the hoops, of which but four are used upon a barrelone at each chine and one on each quarter. These hoops are made much thicker and wider than usual, as shown, and are sawed from the plank or lumber in bevel form, so as to fit the bilge of the barrel. The width is such that when fitted upon the end of the barrel, as in Fig. 2, the upper thick edge may project a little over the end of the barrel and still project over and cover the entire chine and the bearing of the head, for the purpose hereafter described. One end of each of the hoops is tapered, as shown ata. To apply the hoops to the barrel they are first bent around the barrel in the proper position. The tapered end is lapped over the other, and a nail or tack driven into the two thicknesses but without passing into the barrel. By this means the proper gauge is attained. The hoop is lthen removed from the barrel and placed upon an iron form for clinching. The staple C is now placed in a suitable instrument or tool and its ends made to embrace the taper end of the hoop, as in Fig. 1, when it is driven in and clinched down upon the iron form. This securely holds the end of the hoop and prevents splitting out or starting up. In addition to this staple, nails b are also driven through and clinched. In this manner the lap or connection of the hoop is made perfectly secure-much more so than the lock of ordinaryT hoops, which must be cut half off to form the locking-shoulders. The hoop, formed as above described, is then applied to the barrel and driven closely in place.

By this construction I gain a greater strength than in a larger number of hoops as in the usual manner of hooping. The same amount of material in a single body is much stronger than when separated in three or four separate pa-rts. The hold is also much more effective, as a single body tightens over its whole bearing, while, ifa series is used, the driving of one tighter than the others causes that one to receive all the strain, while the others are loose. There is also less danger of breakage in rolling, as the combining of the whole in a single solid body renders the hoop capable of resisting any ordinary action. Inrolling, the projection of these hoops is such` that they really form the bearing, thus relieving the staves from the strain.

A more distinct advantage results from the arrangement of the chine-hoops, as shown in Fig. 2. In this case the projection of the hoop beyond the chine protects the latter by takingthe bearing at that point, and its strength is such that it can withstand any ordinary usage. Italso protects the chine against outward or inward lateral pressure, thus preventing breakage or the springing of the chine away from the head. This is of special importance in heavy barrels, where cant-hooks are used for moving them. The upper part of the heavy hoop being the thickest, allows the embrace of the cant hook without springing or breaking. importance in use on barrels for holding petroleum and other ethereal liquids.

Heretofore iron hoops have been used, as the ordinary small wooden hoops could not be trusted for the purpose. Iron hoops, when heated in the sun, expand lto such a degree as to open the joints of the staves and allow the liquid to escape.

My hoops are particularly adapted to this use, as they do not expand, and yet they retain, in a solid and compact body, the strength necessary, and which cannot be insured by hoopsvof small In addition to all this there is an advantage in the method of producing the hoops themselves. Ordinary small wooden hoops cannot be sawed in bevel form from the lumber with any degree of success, owing to the shaking of the material These hoops are also of and the great loss by the cut of the saw. My hoop can be sawed Without trouble, as the thickness of the body will prevent shaking, and but few cuts are made compared with those of small In ease of shrinkage or loosening of the hoop I employ a packing, I), Fig. 3, consisting of a thin strip or shaving of Wood, which is inserted and driven into the `joint between the hoop and the barrel. It may extend partially or entirely around, as may be desired. In some eases this is also of importance, especially in transporta' tion. l

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A barrel composed of a series of Wooden hoops the ends of Which are united togetherby the combined fastening device, consisting of the rivets b and staple c, the latter embracing the taper lap and clinched on the underside of the hoop before placing the hoop upon the barrel, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of April, 1871.

JAMES TOMLINSON.

Witnesses:

J As. LORENZO GAGE, ARoHD. BAINE. 

